Bryant University’s Class of 2022 graduates have earned the strongest return on investment in the institution’s history, according to new data compiled by the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Strategy.
The report documented median earnings of $68,000 in the first six months following graduation for the Class of 2022 — a 6.25 percent increase from the previous year’s starting salary of $64,000 and about $13,000 more annually than the national average, according to data from the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Ninety-nine percent of Class of 2022 graduates were either employed or pursuing advanced degrees within six months of Commencement, per the survey.
"Their success is our strongest outcome, and we’re proud of the Class of 2022 for their achievements."
“These outcomes are strong documentation of the value of a Bryant education,” says Bryant University President Ross Gittell, Ph.D. “Our transformational learning experiences prepare students for rewarding and fulfilling professional and personal lives. Their success is our strongest outcome, and we’re proud of the Class of 2022 for their achievements.”
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Edinaldo Tebaldi, Ph.D., executive director of strategic planning and institutional effectiveness, says the university's success in producing exceptional outcomes can be attributed to its integrated curriculum and focus on experiential learning. Bryant provides numerous opportunities for students to engage in collaborative learning with faculty, gain international experience, and develop career readiness and leadership skills from their first year on campus until five years after graduation.
“At our university, we prioritize not only providing our graduates with a top-tier education but also ensuring that they have the necessary support to secure meaningful employment opportunities with reputable employers,” says Tebaldi.
“The faculty and staff really care about the student’s growth and play a crucial part in helping us create that foundation of professionalism we need when we begin our careers.”
Christine Ochola ‘22, who majored in Communications and minored in Marketing, says Bryant’s staff and faculty consider students’ futures before the students do, themselves.
“The faculty and staff really care about the student’s growth and play a crucial part in helping us create that foundation of professionalism we need when we begin our careers,” says Ochola, who serves as a communication coordinator at Bank of America. Her time at Bryant, she adds, taught her to go the extra mile in whatever she does. “Showcasing my hardworking demeanor helped me secure my position, and upholding that reputation is what is helping me continue to develop.”
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Benjamin Heyman ’22, who majored in Finance with concentrations in Applied Analytics and Sport Studies and a minor in Economics, agrees. He says his experience at Bryant transformed him into a well-rounded person.
“Group projects and presentations prepare students with communication skills,” Heyman, who served as portfolio manager for Bryant’s $2.7 million student-run Archway Investment Fund, says. “We also have access to some of the best technological resources, giving us the tools to be successful innovators and to constantly have a forward-thinking mindset.”
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Heyman says Bryant’s emphasis on networking and career readiness prepared him for an informational session at the Hartford Financial Services Group, where he now serves as a finance leadership development program associate. And these lessons transcended the classroom, Heyman notes.
“Bryant also teaches valuable leadership skills through hundreds of clubs and organizations,” he says. “It’s no surprise alumni have leadership roles at their companies. It’s the ultimate combination.”
Pell Grant recipients and students of color surpassed the median earnings pool for the Class of 2022, with starting salaries at $72,000 and $70,000, respectively. The Class of 2022 is also closing the gender wage gap, with a female to male earnings ratio of 96 percent compared to 82 percent nationwide.
About Bryant University
For 160 years, Bryant University has been at the forefront of delivering an exceptional education with top 1% outcomes that anticipates the future and prepares students to be innovative leaders of character in a changing world. The university delivers a uniquely integrated academic and student life experience with nationally recognized academic programs at the intersection of business, liberal arts, and health and behavioral sciences.
Located on a 428-acre contemporary campus in Smithfield, R.I., Bryant enrolls approximately 3,800 undergraduate and graduate students from 38 states and 49 countries. Bryant is recognized as a top 1% national leader in student education outcomes and ROI, and regularly receives high rankings from U.S. News and World Report, Money, Bloomberg Businessweek, Wall Street Journal, College Factual and Barron’s.
